Apple Watch Series 8 Review.

Apple Watch Series 8 caters to a wide range of users, including fitness enthusiasts, professionals, and those who simply want a stylish and convenient wearable device.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Apple Watch Series 8 represents the most recent advancement in Apple’s highly sought-after range of smartwatches. It builds upon the success of its predecessors and introduces several notable improvements in terms of design, performance, and features.

Starts at $399

The “RDCarTech” editors make independent choices and evaluate products on their own. If you make purchases through affiliate links, we may receive commissions that assist in funding our testing efforts.

Experience the Apple Watch Series 8, which is characterized by increased power and advanced features. Gain deeper insights into women’s health with temperature sensing technology. Ensure your safety with Crash Detection, which provides assistance during emergencies. Explore Sleep Stages to enhance your understanding of sleep patterns. Take advantage of the enhanced Workout app, which offers improved methods for training. The Apple Watch Series 8 showcases the future of health, combining cutting-edge functionalities with a sleek design that is visually appealing. It is also water resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water sports.

The Apple Watch Series 8 is a great smartwatch for people who are looking for a device that can help them stay healthy, fit, and connected. It has several new features and improvements over the previous generation, and it is a great choice for people looking for a smartwatch that can do it all.

Here is a detailed review of the Apple Watch Series 8 including its features, specifications, pros, and cons.

The Apple Watch Series 8 boasts an impressive array of features, making it a top choice for individuals seeking comprehensive health monitoring, safety features, and seamless connectivity. It’s advanced technology and stylish design options offer a premium user experience. However, potential buyers should consider the relatively short battery life and the reliance on an iPhone when making their purchasing decision. Overall, the Apple Watch Series 8 is recommended for those who prioritize health and wellness tracking, advanced technology, and a sleek design, but are willing to invest in a higher-end smartwatch.

Quick Look Apple Watch Series 8

Display: Always-On Retina display.

The Apple Watch Series 8 features an Always-On Retina display that utilizes innovative technology to keep the screen continuously active, allowing you to effortlessly view important information without having to lift your wrist. The display showcases detailed watch faces that are visually striking and effortlessly legible, even when your wrist is resting. It seamlessly accommodates your favorite complications and offers a user-friendly experience, making interactions such as tapping, typing, and swiping a breeze. The display delivers exceptional clarity and visual appeal with a resolution of 396 by 484 pixels.

Materials and Finishes – Aluminum, Stainless steel.

The Apple Watch Series 8 offers a variety of materials and finishes to choose from, including aluminum and stainless steel. The aluminum models feature a case made from 100% recycled aluminum, ensuring a sustainable choice. The case is designed with a thick front crystal and a flat base, incorporating a sturdy geometry that enhances durability and provides resistance against cracks. An Ion-X front glass is employed for the aluminum models to maintain excellent clarity and protection. On the other hand, the stainless steel models boast sapphire front crystals, known for their exceptional durability and scratch resistance.

In terms of color options, the aluminum models are available in Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Red, allowing for a range of stylish choices. Meanwhile, the stainless steel models offer color options of Graphite, Silver, and Gold, providing a sophisticated and elegant appearance.

Health and Wellness Smartwatch

• Blood Oxygen app,
• ECG app,
• High and low heart rate notifications,
• Irregular rhythm notification,
• Sleep Stages,
• Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates.

Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates

The Apple Watch Series 8 introduces temperature sensing, a feature that is not intended for medical purposes or for diagnosing, treating, or addressing any medical conditions. It works in conjunction with Cycle Tracking to provide a better understanding of the menstrual cycle. However, the Cycle Tracking app should not be relied upon as a form of birth control, and the data from the app should not be used for diagnosing health conditions.

Apple Watch Series 8 offers the ability to track your wrist temperature changes during sleep, providing valuable insights into your overall well-being. By wearing Apple Watch Series 8 or Apple Watch Ultra, you can gather data on your wrist temperature throughout the night.

Understanding Wrist Temperature:

Wrist temperature refers to the measurement of your body’s temperature collected by your Apple Watch while you sleep. It’s important to note that your body temperature naturally fluctuates and can be influenced by various factors such as diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, sleep environment, menstrual cycles, and illness. After approximately 5 nights, Apple Watch will establish a baseline wrist temperature for you and monitor nightly changes in comparison to that baseline.

Blood Oxygen app

Additionally, the Apple Watch Series 8 enables you to measure your blood oxygen levels. It’s important to note that the Blood Oxygen app measurements are not intended for medical use, including self-diagnosis or consultation with a doctor. They are primarily designed for general fitness and wellness purposes.

ECG app

Furthermore, the ECG app allows you to take electrocardiogram readings directly from your wrist. Please keep in mind that the ECG app and the irregular rhythm notification feature require the latest versions of watchOS and iOS, and they are not intended for individuals under the age of 22.

The ECG app is available on Apple Watch Series 4 or later models (excluding Apple Watch SE).

“The irregular rhythm notification is not suitable for individuals previously diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib).” – Applecom.

High and low heart rate notifications

Moreover, the Apple Watch Series 8 can notify you if it detects unusually high or low heart rates or an irregular rhythm. As mentioned earlier, the ECG app and irregular rhythm notification feature require the latest software versions and are not intended for use by individuals under 22 years old. The ECG app is available on Apple Watch Series 4 or later models (excluding Apple Watch SE).

Sleep Stages

Lastly, the Apple Watch Series 8 provides insights into your current heart rate and offers information about your sleep patterns through Sleep Stages analysis.

Emergencies and Security with Apple Watch

The Apple Watch Series 8 is equipped with Emergency SOS, a feature that allows you to quickly call for help and notify emergency contacts. In the unfortunate event of a hard fall, the Fall Detection feature can automatically trigger an alert. Additionally, the Crash Detection feature is designed to provide assistance in case of a severe car crash.

Please note that to use the Emergency SOS feature, your Apple Watch needs to be connected to a cellular network or have Wi-Fi Calling enabled with an internet connection from your Apple Watch or a nearby iPhone.

The international emergency calling functionality is available on specific Apple Watch models, including Apple Watch Ultra (Cellular), Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular), Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular), and Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular). For a comprehensive list of supported countries and regions, you can refer to the Apple website.

Cellular Connectivity in Apple Watch Series 8

• Cellular connectivity on GPS + Cellular models,
• Supports Family Setup,
• International roaming.

With the Family Setup feature, you can easily pair Apple Watches for your children or older adults, even if they don’t have an iPhone. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all features may be available when the Apple Watch is set up through Family Setup. Similar to individual setups, a wireless service plan is required for cellular service, and contacting your service provider is recommended for more specific details. You can refer to the Apple website for a list of supported carriers.

For international roaming coverage, it is advised to consult with your carrier as they determine the availability and terms.

The “RDCarTech” editors make independent choices and evaluate products on their own. If you make purchases through affiliate links, we may receive commissions that assist in funding our testing efforts.

Technology

• Blood oxygen sensor
• The third-generation optical heart sensor
• Temperature sensor
• Dual-core S8 SiP
• Digital Crown with haptic feedback
• L1 GPS
• Compass with a redesigned app
• Always-on altimeter
• High-g accelerometer
• Gyroscope
• Second-generation speaker and mic

The Apple Watch Series 8 incorporates temperature-sensing functionality that synergizes with Cycle Tracking, allowing for a deeper understanding of women’s health. It also features an ECG app that can generate electrocardiogram readings akin to those obtained from a single-lead ECG. Additionally, the watch enables on-demand measurements of blood oxygen levels, providing valuable insights into your overall well-being. To enhance safety, the Apple Watch Series 8 utilizes an advanced sensor-fusion algorithm, trained on an extensive dataset of over 1 million hours of real-world drive and crash data, to effectively detect severe car crashes through Crash Detection technology.

Tech Specs

Finishes:

GPS + Cellular

• Aluminum is available in midnight, starlight, silver, and (PRODUCT)RED.
• Stainless Steel is available in graphite (PVD), silver, and gold (PVD).

The Apple Watch Series 8 offers a range of color options in its aluminum variant, including midnight, starlight, silver, and (PRODUCT)RED. When you purchase the (PRODUCT)RED version, a portion of the proceeds contributes to the Global Fund’s efforts in combating AIDS and addressing the effects of COVID-19 through the (RED) initiative.

In addition, the stainless steel version of the Apple Watch Series 8 is available in graphite (PVD), silver, and gold (PVD) finishes, providing a selection of sophisticated and elegant choices.

GPS

Aluminum is available in midnight, starlight, silver, and (PRODUCT)RED.

Apple Watch Hermès

Stainless Steel is available in silver and space black (DLC).

Case Size And Weight

Features

• L1 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou

• Compass

• Always-on altimeter

Water-resistant 50-meter: The Apple Watch Series 8 is designed to be water-resistant up to a depth of 50 meters, adhering to the ISO standard 22810:2010. This level of water resistance allows you to engage in shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or the ocean. However, it’s important to note that the Apple Watch Series 8 is not suitable for scuba diving, waterskiing, or activities involving high-velocity water or submersion at greater depths. It’s worth mentioning that water resistance is not a permanent feature and may gradually decrease over time.

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• Blood oxygen sensor (Blood Oxygen app)

• Electrical heart sensor (ECG app)

• The third-generation optical heart sensor

• International emergency calling: For Apple Watch users, the international emergency calling feature is available on the Apple Watch Ultra (Cellular), Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular), Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular), or Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) models.

• Emergency SOS

• International roaming: International roaming services for Apple Watch are subject to the coverage provided by your specific carrier. It is recommended to contact your carrier directly to obtain detailed information regarding international roaming, including availability and associated fees. For a comprehensive list of supported carriers, please visit the Apple website.

• High-g accelerometer

Up to 256 g-forces with Fall Detection and Crash Detection

• High dynamic range gyroscope

• Speaker

• Microphone

• Apple Pay

• GymKit

• Capacity 32GB: GPS + Cellular

• Capacity 32GB: GPS

• Ceramic and sapphire crystal back: GPS + Cellular; GPS

Chip Apple Watch Series 8

Connectivity

• LTE and UMTS  GPS + Cellular models: For LTE and UMTS GPS + Cellular models, a wireless service plan is necessary to access cellular service. Please reach out to your service provider for more information. The quality of the connection may vary depending on network availability. To find out about participating wireless carriers and eligibility, visit the Apple website.

• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz and 5GHz

• Bluetooth 5.3

Power

• Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery for Up to 18 hours:

Apple Watch Series 8 is equipped with an onboard Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, which will provide up to 18 hours of life. This estimation is based on typical usage, including 90-time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app usage, and a 60-minute workout with music playback from the Apple Watch via Bluetooth, all within the span of 18 hours.

For Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) usage, it includes continuous Bluetooth connection to an iPhone throughout the entire 18-hour test.

“On the other hand, Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) usage involves a total of 4 hours of LTE connection and 14 hours of Bluetooth connection to an iPhone within the 18-hour period.”

“These tests were conducted by Apple in August 2022 using preproduction models of the Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) and Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular), each paired with an iPhone. All devices were tested with prerelease software.”

It’s important to note that actual battery life may vary depending on various factors, including usage patterns, device configurations, cellular network conditions, signal strength, and other variables.

• USB-C magnetic fast charging cable

Based on the provided information, the Apple Watch Series 8 offers several critical features that make it a compelling choice for potential buyers.

Firstly, the Always-On Retina display with up to 1000 nits brightness ensures that the watch face is easily readable in various lighting conditions, enhancing user convenience.

The extensive health monitoring capabilities of the Apple Watch Series 8, including the Blood Oxygen app and ECG app, allow users to monitor their health and gather important data for better insights into their well-being.

The watch’s ability to provide notifications for high and low heart rates, as well as irregular rhythms, adds an extra layer of safety for individuals concerned about their heart health.

The Fall Detection and Crash Detection features are particularly noteworthy, as they can automatically detect if the wearer has taken a hard fall or been involved in a severe car crash, respectively. This can be crucial in emergency situations, where the watch can promptly alert emergency services or designated contacts.

For those who rely on accurate navigation, the inclusion of GPS, a compass, and a redesigned compass app ensures precise location tracking and guidance.

The Apple Watch Series 8 offers cellular connectivity, allowing users to stay connected even without their iPhones. Additionally, it provides international roaming options, enabling seamless usage in different countries, although specific carrier availability should be checked.

With up to 18 hours of battery life, the Apple Watch Series 8 offers all-day usage without frequent charging, ensuring it can keep up with the demands of daily activities.

Lastly, the watch’s stylish design options, available in aluminum and stainless steel materials, cater to different aesthetic preferences, allowing users to choose a model that suits their personal style. In conclusion, the Apple Watch Series 8 stands out with its advanced health monitoring capabilities, safety features, accurate navigation tools, cellular connectivity, and stylish design options. It is recommended for individuals seeking a smartwatch that seamlessly integrates health and fitness tracking with everyday convenience and style. However, buyers should consider their specific needs and preferences, and ensure compatibility with their carrier before making a purchase.